Author Q&A – Kathy Cramer, Lead Positive
What is Asset-Based Thinking (ABT)?
Asset-Based Thinking can be defined as a focus on what is working within yourself, others, and situations. With practice, ABT strategies can help reverse our brain’s negativity bias and strengthen those parts of the brain responsible for focusing on the upside of whatever is happening. Numerous research studies have confirmed that ABT principles and practices build resilience, optimism, and confidence. My mission as an author and as founder of The Cramer Institute has been to help leaders become consummate Asset-Based Thinkers who are skilled at solving problems and capitalizing on opportunities.
How does your approach help us become more effective leaders?
Leaders today are faced with enormous external challenges in the marketplace and the internal imperative to keep people engaged and motivated. Lead Positive offers an internal development process that will help leaders get results and create an inspired workforce. By applying ABT principles in the workplace, you can maximize your power, influence, and impact on the organization. You must shine the spotlight of your attention on your own leadership strengths and capabilities, what others can contribute, and what’s valuable and useful about a situation, whether this attention is welcome or not. When leaders align what they see, say, and do on the assets they can leverage, it inspires their followers to jump on board and perform at their highest levels.
Will Lead Positive help readers boost engagement in their organization?
Creating a culture of engagement is essential for retaining key talent. When leaders become fluent in the See-Say-Do framework in Lead Positive, there is a palpable positive difference in the culture at large, and engagement levels rise. Leaders become more magnetic and memorable. Employees begin to identify with the leader’s vision, and more important, the leader as a human being. I often ask my clients to remember that people follow people, not just great ideas. Leading from the positive side of the ledger helps organizations go farther faster.
What will readers of your previous books learn from Lead Positive?
Lead Positive gives leaders a playbook for how to apply Asset-Based Thinking in a variety of challenging workplace situations. It reveals proven methods of communicating with others so that people stay engaged and inspired to achieve important results. It also includes vivid case studies and profiles of leaders who provide great examples of how specific ABT strategies led to successful outcomes.